Garzelli was overjoyed by his win in Belgium, but could not understand being left out for the Worlds (Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
Stefano Garzelli won a race in Belgium this week, and after a good season, doesn't understand why he wasn't selected for the Italian national team which will ride the Worlds only a few kilometres from his home.
Garzelli races for the Professional Continental team Acqua & Sapone-Caffe Mokambo, and leads the UCI's Europe Tour rankings. He burst into tears after winning the GP van Wallonie this week. "I am in such a good form and the national coach doesn't take me to the World Championships that are only five kilometres away from my home," he said, according to the Belga news agency. "Especially since you can best compare that course to the one here. I can't defend my chances now, and I find that a pity."
The 35 year-old thanked his team "which controlled the whole game and could stop each gap." He admitted that he rode the race with "feelings of revenge, of course, because I wanted to be in Varese. A world championships is being held in my backyard. I have shown today that I should have been selected."
